In the dead of night, Abhishek Nautiyal and his family were urgently alerted by a family friend to vacate their residence in Joshimath, a quaint town nestled in the Himalayan mountains in Uttarakhand, India. The urgent message conveyed a dire situation – the town was gradually sinking due to water infiltration saturating the ground, leading to structural damage in over 800 homes, including Nautiyal’s dwelling. This unsettling event forced the family to relocate to a temporary shelter for six months following a government mandate in early January 2023.
Nautiyal, now 18, expressed his apprehension and academic decline amidst the distressing circumstances. He shared his emotional link to his hometown, acknowledging the hardships endured during the displacement. An evaluation conducted post-evacuation unveiled significant land subsidence in Joshimath, with a notable 5.4-centimetre drop within a mere 12-day span. The town bore witness to profound fissures emerging on streets, residences, a local temple, and two adjacent hotels, which eventually collapsed, necessitating demolition. Furthermore, cracks in the town’s gondola infrastructure led to its suspension.
The precarious situation in Joshimath can be attributed to its foundation on the remains of a retreating glacier and a historic landslide, rendering the ground unstable and susceptible to gradual sinking, exacerbated by increased urbanization. Experts have long warned about the adverse effects of extensive construction projects in the region, particularly in an earthquake-prone zone with inadequate water drainage systems, heightening the vulnerability of settlements like Joshimath.
The escalating impact of climate change on the Himalayas accentuates the risks faced by communities residing in these high-altitude regions. The rapid retreat of Himalayan glaciers, exacerbated by rising temperatures, poses a severe threat to mountain villages, with glacial lakes expanding and triggering potential outburst floods. Uttarakhand’s evolving precipitation patterns, characterized by heavier and prolonged rainfall, coupled with inadequate drainage infrastructure in Joshimath, heighten the town’s susceptibility to natural calamities.
The convergence of ongoing construction activities and environmental fragility has further amplified the sinking crisis in Joshimath. The relentless construction endeavors, aimed at accommodating the burgeoning influx of pilgrims, have drawn criticism from environmental activists, linking them to the exacerbation of the town’s subsidence. Notably, the Tapovan Vishnugad hydropower project, situated in proximity to Joshimath, has come under scrutiny for its impact on the town’s geological stability.
Despite historical warnings and environmental concerns, the relentless pace of construction persists, mirroring the challenges faced in balancing development with environmental preservation in the region. As the residents of Joshimath grapple with the looming threat of structural instability and the specter of displacement, the need for strategic planning, informed decision-making, and public awareness remains imperative to mitigate the risks associated with the town’s sinking predicament.